University Heights applies for grant to reduce water runoff on South Belvoir Boulevard

The city is partnering with South Euclid on a grant that, if approved, should improve water quality and reduce runoff on South Belvoir Boulevard.

Monday, City Council approved a resolution to allow the city to collaborate with South Euclid on the Belvoir Boulevard Nine Mile Creek Green Street Project.

If South Euclid council approves a similar resolution Monday, that city will apply for a $300,000 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

University Heights Service Director Chris Vild said South Euclid approached the city recently about partnering on the Ohio EPA Surface Water Improvement Fund grant.

The project would create two stormwater bio-retention cells: one in South Euclid, on the south side of the South Belvoir-Mayfield Road intersection, and one in University Heights, on the north side of the South Belvoir-Silsby Road intersection.

Both cells would be located on grass medians.

The bio-retention cells would intercept and filter surface water during rain, cleaning the water of any pollutants and allowing it to soak naturally into the ground, Vild said in a report to council.

"Stormwater flow downstream will be reduced, minimizing local flooding and habitat destruction," he said.

The installation of the bio-retention cell in University Heights allows for treatment of Nine Mile Creek at its headwaters and encourages support for the creation of more "green streets" in northeast Ohio, the resolution states.

The project would also increase the quality of the runoff draining into Nine Mile Creek, building on the success of South Euclid’s Nine Mile Creek wetland project, South Euclid city engineer Andy Blackley said.

The creek runs underground, from University Heights into South Euclid, along South Belvoir.

"This is a great project that will be a big benefit to both cities," Blackley said. "It’s sort of the wave of the future."

South Euclid will administer the entire process, including writing the grant, hiring a design company and overseeing the installation of the bio-retention cells, with no cost to University Heights.

Vild said he and city Engineer Joe Ciuni will be involved with the planning and installation process, along with South Euclid officials.

"I don’t see a downside to this," Councilman Phil Ertel said. "I believe South Euclid asked us to join because the likelihood of getting the grant is enhanced when more than one community is involved."

Vild said that was true. He said if the grant is not approved, the project will not move forward.

Feb. 15 is the deadline to apply for the grant.

Blackley said the $300,000 grant should cover the entire cost of the construction and engineering. If approved by this spring, it should be completed by summer, he said.

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